Non-dehiscent black-seeded sesame variety sesaco 55

ABSTRACT

Non-dehiscent black-seeded sesame ( Sesamum indicum  L.) designated (S55) is herein disclosed. Its degree of shatter resistance, or seed retention, makes S55 suitable for mechanized harvesting.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a new Sesamum indicum L. variety withnon-dehiscence appropriate for mechanized harvesting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sesame, or Sesamum indicum, is a tropical annual cultivated worldwidefor its oil and its nut flavored seeds. The sesame plant grows to aheight of about 52-249 cm, and at its leaf axils are found capsuleswhich contain the sesame seed. Upon maturity in nature, the capsulesholding the sesame seeds begin to dry down, the capsules normally splitopen, and the seeds fall out. Commercially, the harvester tries torecover as much seed as possible from mature capsules. From ancienttimes through the present, the opening of the capsule has been the majorfactor in attempting to successfully collect the seed. Harvestingmethods, weather, and plant characteristics all contribute to the amountof seed recovered.

The majority of the world's sesame is harvested manually. With manualnon-mechanized methods, it is desirable for the sesame seed to fallreadily from the plant. Manual harvesting is labor intensive. Efforts tomechanize or partially mechanize harvesting met with limited success.

A breakthrough was accomplished when non-dehiscent (ND) sesame wasdeveloped and patented by Derald Ray Langham. ND sesame was found topossess the proper characteristics which would enable mechanicalharvesting without the seed loss disadvantages reported with priorvarieties. Later, an improved non-dehiscent (IND) character wasidentified by Langham which also allowed for mechanical harvesting.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,100,452; 6,815,576; 6,781,031; 7,148,403; and 7,332,652each disclose and claim non-dehiscent sesame cultivars having variouscharacteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention comprises a seed of sesame varietydesignated Sesaco 55 (S55), a sample of said seed having been depositedunder ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.

In another aspect, the invention comprises a sesame plant produced bygrowing the seed of sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.

In yet another aspect, the invention comprises plant cells derived froma sesame plant, said plant produced by growing the seed of sesamevariety S55, a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCCAccession No. PTA-10185. The plant cells may be selected, for example,from pollen, tissue culture of regenerable cells, and asexuallyreproducing cultivars.

In yet another aspect, the invention comprises a sesame plant having allthe physiological and morphological characteristics of sesame varietyS55, a sample of the seed of said variety having been deposited underATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.

In another aspect, the invention comprises a sesame plant regeneratedfrom a tissue culture of regenerable cells produced from plant cellsderived from sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185, wherein said regeneratedsesame plant has all the physiological and morphological characteristicsof said sesame variety S55. The plant cells may be derived from S55seeds or plant cells from tissue from a sesame plant produced by growingthe seed of sesame variety S55.

In another aspect, the invention comprises a method of producing sesameseed, comprising crossing a first parent sesame plant with a secondparent sesame plant and harvesting the resultant sesame seed, whereinsaid first or second parent sesame plant was produced by growing seed ofsesame variety S37, a sample of said seed having been deposited underATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the lineage of S55.

FIGS. 2 through 8 compare Sesaco 55 (S55) to the Sesaco varieties:Sesaco 25 (S25), Sesaco 26 (S26), Sesaco 28 (S28), Sesaco 29 (S29),Sesaco 30 (S30), and Sesaco 32 (S32).

FIG. 2 depicts a comparison of the percent of seed retention duringShaker Shatter Resistance testing from 1997 to 2008.

FIG. 3 depicts a comparison of the mean improved non-dehiscent visualrating in Uvalde, Tex., and Lorenzo, Tex., in 2008.

FIG. 4 depicts a comparison of the composite kill resistance ratings inUvalde, Tex., in 2008.

FIG. 5 depicts a comparison of the mean days to physiological maturityin Uvalde, Tex., in 2008.

FIG. 6 depicts a comparison of the yield at drydown in Uvalde, Tex., andLorenzo, Tex., in 2008.

FIG. 7 depicts a comparison of the lodging resistance rating in Uvalde,Tex., and Lorenzo, Tex., in 2007.

FIG. 8 depicts a comparison of the mean weight of 100 seeds in gramsfrom 1997 to 2008.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Herein disclosed is a black-seeded sesame variety designated Sesaco 55(or “S55”), which exhibits Non-Dehiscence (ND) characteristics and otherdesirable characteristics which make it a commercially suitable sesameline.

S55 exhibits improved shatter resistance, acceptable resistance tocommon fungal diseases, and a maturity that allows a wide geographicalrange. Further, S55 exhibits desirable seed size and a black seed colorwhich is in demand for certain food uses.

S55 is suitable for planting in areas that have approximately a 21° C.ground temperature when planted in the spring and night temperaturesabove 5° C. for normal termination. An exemplary desirable geographicalarea for S55 is from South Texas at the Rio Grande to southern Kansasand from east Texas westward to elevations below 1,000 meters. Otherexemplary areas are areas of the United States or of the world whichareas have similar climatic conditions and elevations.

Sesame plants have been studied for their response to seasonal andclimatic changes and the environment in which they live during thedifferent phases and stages of growth and development. This type ofstudy, called “phenology” has been documented by the inventor inLangham, D. R. 2007. “Phenology of sesame,” In: J. Janick and A. Whipkey(ed.), Issues in New Crops and New Uses, ASHS Press, Alexandria, Va.

Table I summarizes the phases and stages of sesame, and will be usefulin describing the present invention.

TABLE I Phases and stages of sesame Stage/Phase Abbreviation End pointof stage DAP^(z) No. weeks Vegetative VG Germination GR Emergence 0-5 1−Seedling SD 3^(rd) pair true leaf length =  6-25 3− 2^(nd) Juvenile JVFirst buds 26-37 1+ Pre-reproductive PP 50% open flowers 38-44 1−Reproductive RP Early bloom EB 5 node pairs of capsules 45-52 1   Midbloom MB Branches/minor plants 53-81 4   stop flowering Late bloom LB90% of plants with no open 82-90 1+ flowers Ripening RI Physiologicalmaturity  91-106 2+ (PM) Drying DR Full maturity FM All seed mature107-112 1− Initial drydown ID 1^(st) dry capsules 113-126 2   Latedrydown LD Full drydown 127-146 3   ^(z)DAP = days after planting. Thesenumbers are based on S26 in 2004 Uvalde, Texas, under irrigation.

There are several concepts and terms that are used in this document thatshould be defined. In the initial drydown stage in Table I, the capsulesbegin to dry and open. This stage ends when 10% of the plants have oneor more dry capsules. The late drydown stage ends when the plants aredry enough so that upon harvest, the seed has a moisture of 6% or less.At this point some of the capsules have been dry for 5 weeks in theexample used in Table I, but in other environments for other varieties,the drying can stretch to 7 weeks. The “ideal harvest time” is at theend of the late drying stage. At this point, a combine (also sometimesreferred to as a combine harvester, a machine that combines the tasks ofharvesting, threshing, and cleaning grain crops) can be used to cut andthresh the plants and separate the seed from the undesired plantmaterial. However, at times, weather may prevent harvest at the idealtime. The plants may have to remain in the field for as much as anadditional four weeks, and in some cases even longer. Thus, time t₀corresponds to the ideal harvest time and time t₁, which corresponds tothe time the grower actually harvests the sesame is a time later thantime t₀.

The pedigree method of plant breeding was used to develop S55. Sesame isgenerally self-pollinated. Crossing is done using standard techniques asdelineated in Yermanos, D. M. 1980. “Sesame. Hybridization of cropplants,” Am Soc Agronomy-Crop Sci of America, pp. 549-563 and U.S. Pat.No. 6,100,452. Ashri provides an overview of sesame breeding in Ashri,A. (1998). “Sesame breeding,” Plant Breed. Rev. 16:179-228 and Ashri, A.2007. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). In: R. J. Singh, Ed., GeneticResources, Chromosome Engineering, and Crop Improvement, Vol. 4, OilseedCrops, p. 231-289, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., USA

The lineage of S55 is presented in FIG. 1.

JC4b (1) was a line obtained from Mitsubishi Corporation in 1997 andfirst planted in the Gilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) and the Schwartznursery (Wall, Tex.) in 1997. Within Sesaco, JC4b first carried theidentifier 1896 and was later changed to TJC4 and then to TJC4b todenote that it had black seed.

G8 (2) was a line obtained from D. G. Langham in 1977 and first plantedby Sesaco in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was aselection from the cultivar ‘Guacara’ which D. G. Langham developed inVenezuela in the 1950s. Guacara was an initial selection from a crossthat later produced one of the major varieties in Venezuela—Aceitera.Within Sesaco, G8 first carried the identifier X011 and was laterchanged to TG8.

111 (3) was a line obtained from the NPGS (PI173955) in 1979 and firstplanted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. NPGSobtained it in 1949 from W. N. Koelz, USDA, Beltsville, Md. who obtainedit from India. Within Sesaco, 111 first carried the identifier 0858 andwas then changed to X111. In 1985, a selection of this line becameSesaco 4 (S04).

192 (4) was a line obtained from the M. L. Kinman in 1980 and firstplanted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. Theline was originally T61429-B-4-1-3 from the Kinman USDA sesame program,College Station, Tex., which had been in cold storage at Ft. Collins,Colo. In 1997, the line was transferred to the NPGS, Griffin, Ga. andgiven the identifier PI599462. Within Sesaco, 192 first carried theidentifier 1479 and then was changed to X191 and X193. In 1985, aselection from X193 became Sesaco 3 (S03) and a selection of X191 becameSesaco 7 (S07).

V52 (5) was a cultivar designated as SF075 obtained from the SesamumFoundation (D. G. Langham, Fallbrook, Calif.) collection in 1977 andfirst planted by Sesaco in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978.The Sesamum Foundation obtained it from B. Mazzani (Maracay, Venezuela)in 1960. Originally, it was a cultivar known as Venezuela 52 developedby D. G. Langham in the 1940s. Within Sesaco, V52 first carried theidentifier 0075 and was later changed to TV52.

SOMALIA (6) was a line obtained from the NGPS (PI210687) in 1979 andfirst planted in Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. The NGPSobtained it from the Administrazione Fiduciaria Italiana della Somalia,Mogadishu, Somalia. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier 0730.

118 (7) was a line obtained from the NGPS (PI425944) in 1979 and firstplanted in Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. The NGPS obtained itin 1978 from P. F. Knowles, University of California, Davis, Calif., whocollected it in Pakistan. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier 1118and then changed to X118 and then to T118.

193 (8) was a selection from 192 which was a line obtained from the M.L. Kinman in 1980 and first planted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery(Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The line was originally T61429-B-4-1-3 fromthe Kinman USDA sesame program, College Station, Tex., which had been incold storage at Ft. Collins, Colo. In 1997, the line was transferred tothe NPGS, Griffin, Ga. and given the identifier PI599462. Within Sesaco,192 first carried the identifier 1479 and then was changed to X191 andX193. In 1985, a selection from X193 became Sesaco 3 (S03) and aselection of X191 became Sesaco 7 (S07).

MAX (9) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation (D. G. Langham,Fallbrook, Calif.) in 1977 and first planted in the Kamman nursery(Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was obtained with a designator of SF116 andwas named Maximo (Canasta). The Sesamum Foundation obtained it fromMaximo Rodriguez in 1961. He had collected it from Mexico where it wasknown as Instituto Regional Canasta. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier 0116 and then changed to TMAX.

R234 (10) was a named variety obtained from D. M. Yermanos in 1978 fromhis sesame program at the University of California at Riverside. It wasfirst planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. WithinSesaco, it carried the identifier 0544 and then changed to T234.

958 (11) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation in 1977 andfirst planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It wasobtained with a designator of SF411 and was named G958-1. The SesamumFoundation obtained it from John Martin in 1962 who had obtained it fromthe D. G. Langham breeding program in Venezuela. Within Sesaco, G958-1carried the identifier 0411.

982 (12) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation in 1977 andfirst planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It wasobtained with a designator of SF477 and was named G53.98-2. The SesamumFoundation obtained it from John Martin in 1962 who had obtained it fromthe D. G. Langham breeding program in Venezuela. G53.98-2 was a crossmade by D. G. Langham in 1953 in Guacara, Venezuela. Within Sesaco, 982carried the identifier 0477 and then changed to T982.

G53.80-1 (13) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation in 1977and first planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It wasobtained with a designator of SF471. The Sesamum Foundation obtained itfrom John Martin in 1962 who had obtained it from the D. G. Langhambreeding program in Venezuela. G53.80-1 was a cross made by D. G.Langham in 1953 in Guacara, Venezuela. Within Sesaco, G53.80-1 carriedthe identifier 0471.

701 (14) was a line obtained from the NGPS (PI292145) in 1979 and firstplanted in Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The NGPS obtained itin 1963 from Hybritech Seed International, a unit of Monsanto, U.S.,which obtained it from Israel. In viewing this material in 1986, A.Ashri of Israel concluded that it was an introduction to Israel. Thematerial is similar to introductions from the Indian subcontinent.Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier 0701 and then changed to X701.In 1984, a selection from X701 became Sesaco 5 (505).

111X (15) was an outcross in the 111 (2) plot BT0458 in the Nickersonnursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifierE0745 and later changed to T111X.

888 (16) was a cross between 192 (4) and V52 (5) made by Sesaco in theNickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, 888 firstcarried the identifier F888 and then changed to T888.

H6778 (17) was a cross between Somalia (6) and 118 (7) made by Sesaco inthe Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carriedthe identifier H6778.

R234 TALL (18) was an outcross in the R234 (10) strip in the Kammannursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier X026.

045 (19) was a cross between G8 (2) and 958 (11) made by Sesaco in theKamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier B045 and then changed to T045.

036 (20) was a cross between 982 (12) and G53.80-1 (13) made by Sesacoin the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier C036 and then X036. In 1984, a selection fromX036 became Sesaco 6 (S06).

195 (21) was an outcross selected in the 192 (4) in plot MN4584 in theMcElhaney nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1983. Within Sesaco, it carriedthe identifier E0690 and then changed to X195.

S11 (22) was a cross between G8 (2) and 111X (15) made by Sesaco in theNickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier F804; in 1988, a selection of this line became Sesaco 11(S11).

076 (23) was a cross between MAX (9) and R234 TALL (18) made by Sesacoin the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier C076 and then changed to T076.

H6432 (24) was a cross between 193 (8) and 076 (23) made between bySesaco in the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco,it carried the identifier H6432.

H6785 (25) was a cross between 045 (19) and 036 (20) made by Sesaco inthe Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carriedthe identifier H6785.

H6562 (26) was a cross between 195 (21) and 701 (14) made by Sesaco inthe Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carriedthe identifier H6562.

J3208 (27) was a cross between H6778 (17) and H6432 (24) made by Sesacoin the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1985. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier J3208.

J3222 (28) was a cross between H6785 (25) and H6562 (26) made by Sesacoin the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1985. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier J3222.

K3255 (29) was a cross between J3208 (27) and J3222 (28) made by Sesacoin the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1986. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier K3255.

88F (30) was a cross between S11 (22) and 888 (16) made by Sesaco in theSharp nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1988. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier LCE01 and then changed to X88F and then T88F.

S16 (31) was a cross between K3255 (29) and S11 (22) made by Sesaco inthe Wright nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1987. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier KAP11 and then changed to XFXA. In 1991, a selection fromXFXA became Sesaco 16 (S16).

702 (32) was a line obtained from the NGPS (PI292146) in 1979 and firstplanted in Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The NGPS obtained itin 1963 from Hybritech Seed International, a unit of Monsanto, U.S.,which obtained it from Israel. In viewing this material in 1986, A.Ashri of Israel concluded that it was an introduction to Israel. Thematerial is similar to introductions from the Indian subcontinent.Within Sesaco, it has carried the identifier 0702.

BI791 (33) was a cross between 88F (30) and S16 (31) made by Sesaco inthe Gilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) in 1992. Within Sesaco, it carriedthe identifier BI791.

72A (34) was an outcross selected in the 702 (15) strip SL2140 in theRamsey nursery in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier X702Aand then T72A.

S17 (35) was a cross between S11 (22) and 72A (32) made by Sesaco in theWright nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1987. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier KAN22 and then changed to X7AB. In 1992, a selection fromX7AB because Sesaco 17 (S17).

88K (36) was a cross between BI791 (33) and S17 (34) made by Sesaco inthe Friesenhahn nursery (Knippa, Tex.) in 1994. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier, CM586 and then changed to X88K. A selectionbecame Sesaco 27 (S27).

S55 (37) was a cross between JC4b (1) and 88K (36) made by Sesaco in theGilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) in Year 1 (hereinafter “Year” isabbreviated as “YR”). The original designator was HG840.

The seed (G840) was planted in plot TJ11 in the Gilleland nursery inYR2. Five black seeded plants were selected. However, the plot wassegregating light colored seed indicating that the JC4b parent washeterozygous for seed color.

The seed of one of the plants (1523) was planted in plot 7640 in theGilleland nursery in YR3. Two plants were selected because they wereearlier than 88K, had seed to the top of the plant, and shatterresistance.

The seed from one of the plants (2450) was planted in plot 1487 in theGilleland nursery in YR4. Six plants were selected because they hadblack seed and shatter resistance.

The designator was changed to BJ4C. The seed from one of the plants(3815) was planted in plot 7017 in the Panther City nursery (Batesville,Tex.) in YRS. Five plants were selected because they had lot of capsulesin the row, were good individuals, had black seed, and had shatterresistance.

The seed from two of the plants (2333 and 2274) were planted in plots4580 and 4583 in the Gilleland nursery in YR6. Two plants were selectedfrom each plot because they had very good shatter resistance at the endof the season long after the plants had dried down, and the yield wasamong the best for black lines.

The seed from two of the plants (0432 and 0461) were planted in plots4301 and 4303 in the Gilleland nursery in YR6. A bulk of 22 plants fromplot 4301 and a bulk of 20 plants from plot 4303 were selected becausethey had more visual yield than the other selections.

The seed from the two bulks (2528 and 2530) were planted in four strips(VJ07, VJ17, VJ21, and VJ77) in the Gilleland nursery in YR7. Most ofthe seed from these strips was harvested for testing in farmer fields.

The materials were bulked and planted on a farmer experimental field fortesting under commercial conditions in 2008. The seed was designatedS55.

Along with breeding programs, tissue culture of sesame is currentlybeing practiced in such areas of the world as Korea, Japan, China,India, Sri Lanka and the United States. One of ordinary skill in the artmay utilize sesame plants grown from tissue culture as parental lines inthe production of non-dehiscent sesame. By means well known in the art,sesame plants can be regenerated from tissue culture having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of the source plant.

The present invention includes the seed of sesame variety S55 depositedunder ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185; a sesame plant or parts thereofproduced by growing the seed deposited under ATCC Accession No.PTA-10185; any sesame plant having all the physiological andmorphological characteristics of sesame variety S55; any sesame plantall the physiological and morphological characteristics of a sesameplant produced by growing the seed deposited under ATCC Accession No.PTA-10185. The present invention also includes a tissue culture ofregenerable cells produced from the seed having been deposited underATCC Accession No. PTA-10185 or a tissue culture of regenerable cellsfrom sesame variety S55 or a part thereof produced by growing the seedof sesame variety S55 having been deposited under ATCC Accession No.PTA-10185. A sesame plant regenerated from a tissue culture ofregenerable cells produced from the seed having been deposited underATCC Accession No. PTA-10185 or from sesame variety S55, wherein theregenerated sesame plant has all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of sesame variety S55 is also contemplated by thepresent invention. Methods of producing sesame seed, comprising crossinga first parent sesame plant with a second parent sesame plant, whereinthe first or second parent sesame plant was produced by seed having beendeposited under ATCC Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-10185 is part ofthe present invention.

Unless otherwise stated, as used herein, the term plant includes plantcells, plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which sesameplants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, plant cells thatare intact in plants, or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen,ovules, flowers, capsules, stems, leaves, seeds, roots, root tips, andthe like. Further, unless otherwise stated, as used herein, the termprogeny includes plants derived from plant cells, plant protoplasts,plant cell tissue cultures from which sesame plants can be regenerated,plant calli, plant clumps, plant cells that are intact in plants, orparts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, flowers, capsules,stems, leaves, seeds, roots, root tips, and the like.

Sesame cultivar S55 has been tested experimentally over several yearsunder various growing conditions ranging from South Texas to the Caprockof Texas. Sesame cultivar S55 has shown uniformity and stability withinthe limits of environmental influence for the characters listed in TableII below. Table II provides the name, definition, and rating scale ofeach character as well as the method by which the character is measured.Under the rating section, the rating for S55 is presented in bold text.Additionally, the distribution of the character in Sesaco's sesamedevelopment program is indicated under the rating section. Sesaco usesslightly different character specifications from “Descriptors forsesame”, AGP:IBPGR/80/71, IBPGR Secretariat, Rome, (1981) and from theform “Sesame (Sesamum indicum)”, U.S. Department of Agriculture PlantVariety Protection Office, Beltsville, Md. The descriptors in thosedocuments were developed in the early 1980s and have not been updated toincorporate new concepts in sesame data collection.

Table II provides characteristics of S55 for forty-three (43) traits.Numerical ratings and values reported in this table were experimentallydetermined for S55 with prior sesame varieties in side by sidereplicated trials. Actual numerical values and ratings for a givenvariety will vary according to the environment, and the values andratings provided in Table II were obtained in the environment specifiedin the parenthetical following the S55 rating. Table V provides a directcomparison between the new S55 variety and the prior varieties thusdemonstrating the relative differences between the varieties in the sideby side trials.

TABLE II Characters Distinguishing the S55 Line Character RatingMethodology (1) BRANCHING S55 = B The amount of branching on any STYLE(All crops, all nurseries) particular plant depends on the space Thepotential amount of Subjective rating based on around the plant. In highpopulations, true branching in a line the following values: branchingcan be suppressed. This rating U = Uniculm - no should be based onpotential as expressed branching except weak on end plants and plants inthe open. branches in open True branches start in the leaf axil B = Truebranches below the first flower, and they begin to Distribution withinSesaco emerge before the first open flower. As based on stable lines inlong as there is light into the leaf axils, the crossing program inthere will be additional branches that start 1982-2001 (Total numberbelow the first branches in subsequently of samples tested = 1,333)lower nodes. Weak branches occur when U = 42.4% a plant is in the open.They develop in the B = 57.6% lowest nodes and subsequent branches startat higher nodes. There are lines that will not branch in anycircumstance. Some lines in the open will put on spontaneous brancheslate in the cycle. True and weak branches do not have a capsule in thesame leaf axil, whereas the spontaneous branches form under the capsuleafter the capsule has formed. Spontaneous branches are not counted asbranches. There are rare lines where the flowering pattern is to put onflowers on lower nodes late in the cycle. In this case, the capsule isformed after the branch is developed. This pattern should not be termedspontaneous branching, and the branch is normally counted as a truebranch. There are branched lines that have secondary branches on thebranches. In a few cases, there can be tertiary branches. Additionalbranches generally appear in low populations. COMMENTS: the effects oflight appear to have more of an effect on branching than moisture andfertility. High populations suppress branching. (2) NUMBER OF S55 = 1Rating can be taken from about 60 days CAPSULES PER LEAF (All crops, allnurseries) after planting through to the end of the AXIL Subjectiverating based on crop. The predominant the following values: NUMBER OFCAPSULES PER LEAF number of capsules per 1 = Single AXIL is highlydependent on moisture, leaf axil in the middle 3 = Triple fertility, andlight. In triple capsule lines, the half of the capsule zone Based onpotential as central capsule forms first, and axillary described in themethodology capsules follow a few days later. Triple presented hereincapsule lines have the potential to put on Distribution within Sesacoaxillaries, but will not do so if plants do not based on stable lines inhave adequate moisture and/or fertility. In the crossing program indrought conditions, some triple capsule 1982-2001 (Total number lineswill produce only a central capsule for of samples tested = 1,327) manynodes. In these lines, when there is 1 = 58.3% adequate moisture throughrain or irrigation, 3 = 41.7% some will add axillary capsules on onlynew nodes, while others will add axillary capsules to all nodes. Sometriple capsule lines will not put on axillary capsules if there is nodirect sunlight on the leaf axil. To date, lines with single capsuleshave nectaries next to the central capsule in the middle of the capsulezone while triple capsules do not. However, some lines have what appearto be nectaries on the lower capsules of triple lines, but upon closeexamination, they are buds which may or may not eventually develop intoa flower and then a capsule. In most triple capsule lines, the lower andupper nodes have single capsules. There are some lines where the endplants can put on 5 capsules/leaf axil and a few that have the potentialto put on 7 capsules/leaf axil. 5 and 7 capsules only appear with openplants with high moisture and fertility. In some environments, singlecapsule lines will put on multiple capsules on 1 node and rarely on upto 5 nodes. These lines are not considered triple capsule lines. (3)MATURITY CLASS S55 = M for 98 days The basis for this data point is DAYSThe maturity of a line in (Uvalde nursery^(a,) 2005-2008) TOPHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY relation to a standard Subjective rating based on(Character No. 29). S24 is the standard line. Currently, the thefollowing values: line to be used to compute MATURITY standard line isS26 at V = Very early (<85 days) CLASS. In 1998-2001, the maturity ofS24 100 days E = Early (85-94 days) averaged 95 days in the Uvalde, TX,M = Medium (95-104 nursery. Through 2006, the standard was days)adjusted using S24. As S24 was phased L = Late (105-114 days) out ofcommercial planting, a new standard T = Very late (>114 days) needed tobe established, and S26 was Distribution within Sesaco selected. In2001-2006 S26 averaged 5 based on stable lines in days longer than S24.For each line, the the crossing program in physiological maturity foreach year is 1998-2001 (Total number subtracted by the S26 maturity forthat of samples tested = 650) year in that nursery, and then the numberV = 1.2% of days of difference is averaged. The E = 26.8% average isthen added to 100. M = 56.2% See DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL L = 12.9%MATURITY (Character No. 29) for the T = 2.9% effects of the environmenton MATURITY CLASS. (4) PLANT S55 = B1M The first character is theBRANCHING PHENOTYPE (All crops; all nurseries) STYLE (Character No. 1),followed by the A three character Subjective rating based on NUMBER OFCAPSULES PER LEAF designation that the following values: AXIL (CharacterNo. 2), and then the provides the branching BRANCHING STYLE MATURITYCLASS (Character No. 3). style, number of U = Uniculm - no When thesecharacters are placed in a capsules per leaf axil, branching except weakmatrix, there are 20 potential phenotypes. and the maturity classbranches in open The phenotype provides an overview of B = True branchesthe general appearance of the plant. There NUMBER OF CAPSULES is a veryhigh correlation between PER LEAF AXIL MATURITY CLASS and HEIGHT OF 1 =Single PLANT (Character No. 5). 3 = Triple MATURITY CLASS V = Very early(<85 days) E = Early (85-94 days) M = Medium (95-104 days) L = Late(105-114 days) T = Very late (>114 days) Distribution within Sesacobased on stable lines in the crossing program in 1998-2001 (Total numberof samples tested = 650) U1V = 0% U3V = 1.1% U1E = 3.8% U3E = 8.3% U1M =16.0% U3M = 12.0% U1L = 3.4% U3L = 2.2% U1T = 0.5% U3T = 0.6% B1V = 0%B3V = 0.2% B1E = 8.0% B3E = 6.3% B1M = 23.2% B3M = 4.8% B1L = 6.5% B3L =1.0% B1T = 1.6% B3T = 0.4% (5) HEIGHT OF PLANT S55 = 123 cm Themeasurement is made after the The height of the plant (Uvalde nursery,2008) plants stop flowering. For plants that are from the ground to theValue based on an the not erect or have lodged, the plant should top ofthe highest average of a minimum of be picked up for the measurement. Inmost capsule with viable three plants (unit of lines the highest capsuleis on the main seed measure: cm) stem. In lines with the dt/dt allelesDistribution within Sesaco (determinate), the highest capsule is onbased on stable lines in the branches. the crossing program in COMMENTS:this height is dependent 1999-2001 (Total number on the amount ofmoisture, heat, fertility, of samples tested = 2274) and population.Increased values generally low = 56 cm; high = 249 cm increase theheight. In a high population, 1 = <94.6 cm; 5.2% the height will onlyincrease if there is 2 = <133.2 cm; 34.6% adequate fertility andmoisture; otherwise, 3 = <171.8 cm; 54.9% the height will be shorter. Inlow light 4 = <210.4 cm; 5.1% intensities, the heights are generallytaller. 5 = >210.3 cm; 0.1% avg. = 134.8 cm, std = 23.5 6) HEIGHT OFFIRST S55 = 53 cm The measurement is made after the CAPSULE (Uvaldenursery, 2008) plants stop flowering. For plants that are The height ofthe first Value based on an the not erect or have lodged, the plantshould capsule from the average of a minimum of be picked up for themeasurement. In most ground to the bottom of three plants (unit oflines, the lowest capsule is on the main the lowest capsule on measure:cm) stem. True branches have capsules higher the main stem Distributionwithin Sesaco than on the main stem except when the based on stablelines in flowers fall off the main stem. the crossing program inOccasionally, on weak branches, the 1999-2001 (Total number lowestcapsule is on the branches. of samples tested = 2274) There are linesthat flower in the lower low = 20 cm; high = 193 cm nodes late in thecycle, and, thus, the 1 = <54.6 cm; 52.7% measure-ment should be takenafter 2 = <89.2 cm; 45.5% flowering ends. In many lines the first 3 =<123.8 cm; 1.5% flower does not make a capsule, and, thus, 4 = <158.4cm; 0.3% this height may not be the same as the 5 = >158.3 cm; 0.1%height of the first flower. The height is avg. = 54.2 cm, std = 14.3correlated to the length of time to flowering, the earlier the lower theheight. COMMENTS: see HEIGHT OF PLANT (Character No. 5) for effects ofenvironmental factors (7) CAPSULE ZONE S55 = 70 cm The measurement isderived by LENGTH (Uvalde nursery, 2008) subtracting the HEIGHT OF FIRSTThe length of the Value based on an the CAPSULE (Character No. 6) fromthe capsule zone. The average of a minimum of HEIGHT OF PLANT (CharacterNo. 5). capsule zone extends three plants (unit of COMMENTS: see HEIGHTOF PLANT from the bottom of the measure: cm) (Character No. 5) foreffects of lowest capsule on the Distribution within Sesacoenvironmental factors main stem to the top of based on stable lines inthe highest capsule on the crossing program in the main stem. 1999-2001(Total number of samples tested = 2274) low = 18 cm; high = 188 cm 1 =<52 cm; 4.7% 2 = <86 cm; 53.5% 3 = <120 cm; 41.3% 4 = <154 cm; 0.5% 5= >153.9 cm; 0.1% avg. = 80.6 cm, std = 17.2 (8) NUMBER OF S55 = 24pairs The count is made after the plants stop CAPSULE NODE (Uvaldenursery, 2008) flowering. On opposite and alternate PAIRS Value based onan the arranged leaves, each pair of leaves is The number of capsuleaverage of a minimum of counted as one node pair. In some lines, nodepairs from the three plants (unit of there are three leaves per node forat least lowest capsule node to measure: number) part of the plant, andthose are counted as the highest node with Distribution within Sesacoone node pair. In some plants, flowers may capsules with viable based onstable lines in not have produced capsules on one or seed on the mainstem the crossing program in more of the leaf axils in a node. These ofthe plant 1999-2001 (Total number node pairs should still be counted.Node of samples tested = 2154) pairs on the branches are not counted.low = 10; high = 54 In years when the amount of moisture 1 = <18.8;17.9% available to the plant is irregular, node 2 = <27.6; 48.3% pairscan become very irregular, 3 = <36.4; 29.5% particularly on triplecapsule lines. In the 4 = <45.2; 3.6% upper portions of the plant, itmay become 5 = >45.1; 0.7% easier to count the capsule clusters and avg.= 25.3, std = 6.4 divide by 2. While it is possible to count node pairsafter leaves have fallen, it is much easier to count while the leavesare still on the plant. COMMENTS: the number of node pairs is dependenton the amount of moisture and fertility. Higher moisture and fertilityincreases the number of node pairs. (9) AVERAGE S55 = 3.0 cm Divide theCAPSULE ZONE LENGTH INTERNODE LENGTH (Uvalde nursery, 2008) (CharacterNo. 7) by the NUMBER OF WITHIN CAPSULE Value based on an the CAPSULENODES (Character No. 8). ZONE average of a minimum of COMMENTS: thislength is dependent The average internode three plants (unit of on theamount of moisture, fertility, and length within the measure: cm)population. Increased values generally capsule zone Distribution withinSesaco increase the length. In a high population, based on stable linesin the length will only increase if there is the crossing program inadequate fertility and moisture; otherwise 1999-2001 (Total number thelength will be shorter. In low light of samples tested = 2145)intensities, the lengths are generally low = 1.09 cm; high = 8.09 cmlonger. 1 = <2.49 cm; 6.2% Past methodologies have measured the 2 =<3.89 cm; 74.6% internode length at the middle of the 3 = <5.29 cm;18.6% capsule zone. Some have measured it at 4 = <6.69 cm; 0.4% themedian node and others at the median 5 = >6.68 cm; 0.1% CAPSULE ZONELENGTH. avg. = 3.35 cm, std = 0.66 (10) YIELD AT S55 = 1,253 kg/ha On 3replicated plots, when the plants DRYDOWN (Uvalde nursery, 2008) are dryenough for direct harvest, cut a An extrapolation of the S55 = 514 kg/haminimum of 1/5000 of a hectare (Sesaco yield of a field by taking(Lorenzo nursery, 2008)^(b) uses 1/2620) in the plot and place thesample yields Values based on the plants in a cloth bag. Thresh thesample in average of a minimum of a plot thresher and weigh the seed.three replications (unit of Multiply the weight by the appropriatemeasure: kg/ha) multiplier based on area taken to provide Distributionwithin Sesaco the extrapolated yield in kg/ha. based on stable lines inIn the Almaco thresher there is about the crossing program in 3% trashleft in the seed. Since yields are 1999-2001 (Total number comparative,there is no cleaning of the of samples tested = 1828) seed done beforethe computation. If other low = 67 kg/ha threshers have more trash, theseed high = 2421 kg/ha should be cleaned before weighing. 1 = <537.8kg/ha; 5.6% COMMENTS: yields increase with 2 = <1008.6 kg/ha; 15.6%moisture and fertility. However, too high a 3 = <1479.4 kg/ha; 51.5%moisture can lead to killing of plants. Too 4 = <1950.2 kg/ha; 25.8%high fertility can lead to extra vegetative 5 = >1950.1 kg/ha; 1.4%growth that may not lead to higher yields. avg. = 1114.6 kg/ha, Theoptimum population depends on the std = 331.2 PLANT PHENOTYPE, CharacterNo. 4 (BRANCHING STYLE, Character No. 1; NUMBER OF CAPSULES PER LEAFAXIL, Character No. 2; and MATURITY CLASS, Character No. 3) and rowwidth. (11) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT In a year when there is a drought,this DROUGHT Average of a minimum of rating can be used to differentiatethe The relative amount of three plots of a subjective effects of thedifferent lines. This is a resistance to drought rating based on thesubjective rating requiring a rater that is following values: familiarwith the performance of the line 0 to 8 scale under normal conditions.The rating is 7 = Little effect from based on how the drought changesthe drought line from normal. Thus, a short line that 4 = Medium effectfrom does not change significantly in a drought drought may have ahigher rating than a tall line 1 = Considerable effect which is affectedby the drought even from drought though the taller line is taller in thedrought Intermediate values are than the short line. used. Distributionwithin Sesaco based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2000(Total number of samples tested = 632) low = 0; high = 8 1 = <1.6; 0.8%2 = <3.2; 28.0% 3 = <4.8; 36.1% 4 = <6.4; 34.5% 5 = >6.3; 0.6% avg. =4.1, std = 1.2 (12) LEAF LENGTH S55 = 20.7 cm for 5^(th) Select one leafper node to measure The length of the leaf node pair; 19.7 cm for fromthe 5^(th), 10^(th), and 15^(th) node pairs from blade from the base of10^(th) node pair; and 14.5 cm the base of the plant. All the leaves forone the petiole to the apex for 15^(th) node pair line should becollected at the same time. of the leaf from the 5^(th), (Uvaldenursery, 2008) Some lines retain the cotyledons, and the 10^(th), and15^(th) node Value based on an the cotyledon node does not count as anode pairs average of a minimum of pair. In some lines the lowest leavesthree plants (unit of abscise leaving a scar on the stem. measure: cm)Abscised nodes should be counted. In Distribution within Sesaco lineswith alternate leaves, one node is for 5^(th) leaf based on stablecounted for each pair of leaves. In some lines in the crossing lines inparts of the plant there are three program in 2002 (Total leaves pernode which should be counted number of lines tested = as one node. 196with 711 samples) The leaves continue growing in the first low = 13.8cm; high = 42.5 cm few days after they have separated from 1 = <19.5 cm;34.7% the growing tip. The choosing of leaves 2 = <25.3 cm; 48.0% shouldbe done a minimum of 5 days after 3 = <31.0 cm; 14.3% the 15^(th) nodehas appeared. Timing is 4 = <36.8 cm; 1.5% important, because the plantswill begin to 5 = >36.7 cm; 1.5% shed their lower leaves towards the endof avg. = 21.5 cm, std = 4.4 their cycle. Distribution within SesacoThere are lines that have less than 15 for 10^(th) leaf based on nodes.In this case, the highest node stable lines in the crossing should betaken and the node number program in 2002 (Total annotated to themeasurements. number of lines tested = There can be as much as 6 mm 196with 711 samples) difference between a green leaf and a dry low = 9.3cm; high = 32.9 cm leaf. The measurements can be done on a 1 = <14.0 cm;22.4% green or dry leaf as long as any 2 = <18.7 cm; 41.8% comparisondata with other lines is based 3 = <23.5 cm; 20.9% on the same method. 4= <28.2 cm; 10.2% Generally, the lowest leaves increase in 5 = >28.1 cm;4.6% size until the 4^(th) to 6^(th) node and then they avg. = 17.9 cm,std = 4.8 decrease in size. This applies to LEAF Distribution withinSesaco LENGTH (Character No. 12), LEAF for 15^(th) leaf based on BLADEWIDTH (Character No. 14), and stable lines in the crossing PETIOLELENGTH (Character No. 15). In program in 2002 (Total few cases, LEAFBLADE LENGTH number of lines tested = Character No. 13) can increase upthe 10^(th) 196 with 711 samples) node, but will decrease by the 15^(th)node. low = 4.4 cm; high = 26.2 cm Generally, the width will decrease ata 1 = <8.8 cm; 5.1% greater rate than the length. 2 = <13.1 cm; 42.9%COMMENTS: the length is dependent 3 = <17.5 cm; 29.8% on the amount ofmoisture and fertility. 4 = <21.8 cm; 15.8% Higher moisture andfertility increase the 5 = >21.7 cm; 6.6% length. Leaf size also appearsto be avg. = 14.3 cm, std = 4.2 affected by light intensity. In Korea,the Korean lines have much larger leaves than in Oklahoma. In Korea,there is more cloud cover and a general haze than in Oklahoma. (13) LEAFBLADE S55 = 13.6 cm for 5^(th) See LEAF LENGTH (Character No. 12) LENGTHnode pair; 15.4 cm for on how to collect leaves. The The length of theleaf 10^(th) node pair; and 11.9 cm measurement does not include PETIOLEblade from the base of for 15^(th) node pair LENGTH (Character No. 15).In some the leaf blade to the (Uvalde nursery, 2008) leaves the blade onone side of the petiole apex of the leaf from Value based on an thestarts before the other side. This measure the 5^(th), 10^(th), and15^(th) average of a minimum of should start from the lowest blade side.node pairs three plants (unit of There are leaves that have enationswhere measure: cm) a blade starts and then stops. The Distributionwithin Sesaco enations are not considered part of the leaf for 5^(th)leaf based on stable blade because they are very irregular from lines inthe crossing plant to plant and within a plant. program in 2002 (TotalCOMMENTS: see LEAF LENGTH number of lines tested = (Character No. 12)for effects of 196 with 711 samples) environment low = 9.0 cm; high =25.5 cm 1 = <12.3 cm; 14.3% 2 = <15.6 cm; 60.2% 3 = <18.9 cm; 20.9% 4 =<22.2 cm; 3.1% 5 = >22.1 cm; 1.5% avg. = 14.4 cm, std = 2.4 Distributionwithin Sesaco for 10^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossingprogram in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples)low = 8.3 cm; high = 23.4 cm 1 = <11.3 cm; 18.9% 2 = <14.3 cm; 42.9% 3 =<17.4 cm; 25.0% 4 = <20.4 cm; 9.2% 5 = >20.3 cm; 4.1% avg. = 13.9 cm,std = 3.0 Distribution within Sesaco for 15^(th) leaf based on stablelines in the crossing program in 2002 (Total number of lines tested =196 with 711 samples) low = 4.2 cm; high = 20.7 cm 1 = <7.5 cm; 2.0% 2 =<10.8 cm; 36.7% 3 = <14.1 cm; 37.8% 4 = <17.4 cm; 16.3% 5 = >17.3 cm;7.1% avg. = 12.0 cm, std = 3.0 (14) LEAF BLADE S55 = 10.0 cm for 5^(th)See LEAF LENGTH (Character No. 12) WIDTH node pair; 4.1 cm for 10^(th)on how to collect leaves. There are many The width of the leaf nodepair; and 2.7 cm for leaves that are not symmetrical with blade measuredacross 15^(th) node pair lobbing on one side and not the other. The theleaf blade at the (Uvalde nursery, 2008) width should still be measuredacross the widest point at the 5^(th), Value based on an the widestpoint on a line perpendicular to the 10^(th), and 15^(th) node averageof a minimum of main vein of the leaf. pairs three plants (unit of Onsome lines the width exceeds the measure: cm) length, particularly onlobed leaves. Distribution within Sesaco COMMENTS: see LEAF LENGTH for5^(th) leaf based on stable (Character No. 12) for effects of lines inthe crossing environment program in 2002 (Total The widest leaves arelobed. Normally, number of lines tested = the leaves have turned fromlobed to 196 with 711 samples) lanceolate by the 10^(th) leaf with thelow = 3.4 cm; high = 31.0 cm exception of the tropical lines. 1 = <8.9cm; 53.1% 2 = <14.4 cm; 33.7% 3 = <20.0 cm; 9.7% 4 = <25.5 cm; 2.6% 5= >25.4 cm; 1.0% avg. = 9.6 cm, std = 4.3 Distribution within Sesaco for10^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002(Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 1.3 cm; high= 17.6 cm 1 = <4.6 cm; 69.4% 2 = <7.8 cm; 25.0% 3 = <11.1 cm; 4.6% 4 =<14.3 cm; 0% 5 = >14.2 cm; 1.0% avg. = 4.3 cm, std = 2.2 Distributionwithin Sesaco for 15^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossingprogram in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples)low = 0.7 cm; high = 6.0 cm 1 = <1.8 cm; 29.1% 2 = <2.8 cm; 48.0% 3 =<3.9 cm; 15.3% 4 = <4.9 cm; 4.6% 5 = >4.8 cm; 3.1% avg. = 2.3 cm, std =0.9 (15) PETIOLE LENGTH S55 = 7.1 cm for 5^(th) See LEAF BLADE LENGTH(Character The length of the node pair; 4.3 cm for 10^(th) No. 13) onhow to collect leaves. In some petiole from the base of node pair; and2.6 cm for leaves, the blade on one side of the petiole the petiole tothe start 15^(th) node pair starts before the other side. This measureof the leaf blade at the (Uvalde nursery, 2008) should end where theearliest blade starts. 5^(th), 10^(th), and 15^(th) node Value based onan the There are leaves that have enations where pairs average of aminimum of a blade starts and then stops. The three plants (unit ofenations are not considered part of the leaf measure: cm) blade becausethey are very irregular from Distribution within Sesaco plant to plantand within a plant and should for 5^(th) leaf based on stable bemeasured as part of the petiole. lines in the crossing COMMENTS: seeLEAF LENGTH program in 2002 (Total (Character No. 12) for effects ofnumber of lines tested = environment 196 with 711 samples) low = 3.0 cm;high = 17.0 cm 1 = <5.8 cm; 35.2% 2 = <8.6 cm; 39.8% 3 = <11.4 cm; 19.4%4 = <14.2 cm; 4.1% 5 = >14.1 cm; 1.5% avg. = 7.0 cm, std = 2.5Distribution within Sesaco for 10^(th) leaf based on stable lines in thecrossing program in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711samples) low = 1.0 cm; high = 14.2 cm 1 = <3.6 cm; 53.6% 2 = <6.3 cm;31.6% 3 = <8.9 cm; 11.7% 4 = <11.6 cm; 2.0% 5 = >11.5 cm; 1.0% avg. =4.0 cm, std = 2.1 Distribution within Sesaco for 15^(th) leaf based onstable lines in the crossing program in 2002 (Total number of linestested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 0.2 cm; high = 7.4 cm 1 = <1.6 cm;38.8% 2 = <3.1 cm; 41.8% 3 = <4.5 cm; 13.3% 4 = <6.0 cm; 3.1% 5 = >5.9cm; 3.1% avg. = 2.3 cm, std = 1.3 (16) NUMBER OF S55 = 2 The rating canbe taken from about 60 CARPELS PER (All crops, all nurseries) days afterplanting to all the way to the end CAPSULE Subjective rating based on ofthe crop. The predominant the following values: There are many plantswith mixed number of carpels per 2 = bicarpellate number of carpels asfollows: capsule in the middle 3 = tricarpellate 1. Some bicarpellateplants will have half of the capsule zone 4 = quadricarpellate one ormore nodes near the center of the (unit of measure: actual capsule zonethat have tri- and/or number quadricarpellate capsules and vice versa.Distribution within Sesaco 2. Most tri- and quadri-carpellate plantsbased on the introductions will begin and end with bicarpellate nodes.received in 1982-2001 3. Some plants have only one carpel (Total numberof samples that develops. These capsules are tested = 2702) generallybent, but on examination the 2^(nd) 2 = 97.6% carpel can be seen. 3 =0.0004% 4. On all types, flowers may coalesce 4 = 2.3% and double ortriple the number of Sesaco has not developed carpels. lines with morethan 2 5. On the seamless gene plants (gs/gs) carpels. the falsemembranes do not form locules. These are still considered bicarpellate.(17) CAPSULE S55 = 2.40 cm After the plants are physiologically LENGTHFROM 10cap (All experimental mature, take 2 capsules from five plantsTEST nurseries, 1997-2008) from the middle of the capsule zone. On Thelength of the Value based on the three capsule per leaf axil lines, onecapsule from the average of a minimum of central capsule and oneaxillary capsule bottom of the seed three samples of the should be takenfrom the same leaf axil. chamber to the top of length taken on the Themeasurement is taken on the median the seed chamber from median capsulein a 10 capsule of single capsule lines and on the the outside of thecapsule sample (unit of median central capsule on three capsule capsule.The tip of the measure: cm) lines. The measurement is taken on drycapsule is not included Distribution within Sesaco capsules because thelength can shorten in the measurement. based on 10cap test in all asmuch as one mm on drydown. nurseries in 1997-2002 The 10 capsules can besampled from (Total number of lines physiological maturity throughcomplete tested = 1,613 with 8,285 drydown without an effect on thissamples) character. low = 1.3 cm; high = 4.5 cm Generally, the capsulesin the middle of 1 = <1.94 cm; 2.7% the capsule zone are the longest onthe 2 = <2.58 cm; 67.9% plant. 3 = <3.22 cm; 27.2% COMMENTS: the lengthof the capsule 4 = <3.86 cm; 1.9% is dependent on the amount ofmoisture, 5 = >3.85 cm; 0.3% fertility, and population. Higher moistureavg. = 2.44 cm, std = 0.33 and fertility increase the length. Higherpopulation decreases the length even with adequate moisture/fertility.(18) SEED WEIGHT S55 = 0.211 g See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP PER CAPSULEFROM (All experimental TEST (Character No. 17) for collection of 10capTEST nurseries, 1997-2008) capsules. The capsules should be dried, Theweight of the seed Value based on the the seed threshed out, and theseed in a capsule from the average of a minimum of weighed. center ofthe capsule three samples of the The 10 capsules can be sampled fromzone weight of 10 capsules (unit physiological maturity through completeof weight: grams) drydown without an effect on this Distribution withinSesaco character. After drydown, only capsules based on 10cap test inall with all their seed are taken. Thus, this test nurseries in1997-2002 cannot be done on shattering lines after (Total number oflines drydown. tested = 1,613 with 8,285 Generally, the capsules in themiddle of samples) the capsule zone have the highest seed low = 0.053 g;high = weight per capsule on the plant. 0.476 g COMMENTS: see CAPSULELENGTH 1 = <0.138 g; 1.3% FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 17) 2 = <0.222g; 47.6% for the effects of environmental factors. 3 = <0.307 g; 50.6% 4= <0.391 g; 1.1% 5 = >0.390 g; 0.1% avg. = 0.221 g, std = 0.039 (19)CAPSULE S55 = 0.149 g See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP WEIGHT PER (Allexperimental TEST (Character No. 17) for collection of CAPSULE FROMnurseries, 1997-2008) capsules. The capsules should be dried, 10cap TESTValue based on the the seed threshed out, and the capsules The weight ofthe average of a minimum of weighed. At times the peduncle can stillcapsule from the center three samples of the be attached to thecapsules. The of the capsule zone weight of 10 capsules (unit pedunclesshould be removed and not after the seed has been of measure: grams)weighed. removed Distribution within Sesaco The 10 capsules can besampled from based on 10cap test in all physiological maturity throughcomplete nurseries in 1997-2002 drydown without an effect on this (Totalnumber of lines character. tested = 1,613 with 8,285 Generally, thecapsules in the middle of samples) the capsule zone have the highestcapsule low = 0.059 g; high = weight per capsule on the plant. 0.395 gCOMMENTS: see CAPSULE LENGTH 1 = <0.126 g; 22.6% FROM 10CAP TEST(Character No. 17) 2 = <0.193 g; 69.1% for the effects of environmentalfactors. 3 = <0.261 g; 8.2% 4 = <0.328 g; 0.9% 5 = >0.327 g; 0.6% avg. =0.152 g, std = 0.036 (20) CAPSULE S55 = 0.062 g The weight is derived bydividing the WEIGHT PER CM OF (All experimental CAPSULE WEIGHT PERCAPSULE CAPSULE nurseries, 1997-2008) FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 19)The weight of a capsule Value based on the by the CAPSULE LENGTH FROM10CAP per cm of capsule from average of a minimum of TEST (Character No.17). the center of the three samples of the The 10 capsules can besampled from capsule zone weight per cm of 10 physiological maturitythrough complete capsules (unit of measure: drydown without an effect onthis grams) character. Distribution within Sesaco COMMENTS: thischaracter is used based on 10cap test in all instead of capsule width.Capsule width is nurseries in 1997-2002 difficult to measure becausethere are so (Total number of lines many variables in a capsule. In atested = 1,613 with 8,285 bicarpellate capsule, the width differs whensamples) measuring across one carpel or both low = 0.027 g; high =carpels. Capsules can also vary through 0.123 g the length of thecapsule by being 1 = <0.046 g; 8.2% substantially narrower at thebottom, 2 = <0.065 g; 55.5% middle or top of the capsule. In 1997, four3 = <0.085 g; 36.5% widths were measured on each capsule 4 = <0.104 g;4.4% and then averaged. This average had a 5 = >0.103 g; 0.5% very highcorrelation to the capsule weight avg. = 0.063 g, std = 0.012 per cm ofcapsule. See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 17) foreffects of environmental factors (21) VISUAL SEED S55 = W This rating isused for plants that are RETENTION (All crops, all nurseries) beingselected for advanced testing Amount of seed in most Subjective ratingbased on whether individually or in a bulk with all the of the capsulesin the the following values: plants having the same level of seed middlehalf of the X = <50% seed retention retention. capsule zone when the(unsuitable for direct Most “X” plants can be identified from plant(s)are dry enough harvest) the first capsule that dries since the seed fordirect harvest with a C = 50-74% seed will begin falling outimmediately. combine retention (unsuitable for A “C” (close to V) plantwill have some direct harvest, but may capsules with seed and somewithout. segregate V or above in A “V” (visual shatter resistance) plantfuture generations) can be identified when the first 50% of the V = >74%seed retention capsules have dried, but a “V+” rating (sufficient seedretention should not be used until the complete plant for 10cap testing)is dry and most of the capsules are W = >74% seed retention showing seedretention. on weathering in field after Some “V” plants can be upgradedto rains and/or winds “W” after the dry capsules have been I = in usingthe “drum subjected to weather (rain and/or wind) test” the seed in the“V” and “W” become non-dehiscent only capsules do not rattle and after10cap testing with about an 80% >85% of the capsules on passing rate.10cap testing is done on “I” the plant(s) harvested selections have hadabout a 99% passing have visible seed in the rate. tips of the capsulesfour or The “drum test” consists of placing the more weeks after theideal fingers from one hand about 1/2 inch from harvest time. The “I”the center of the main stem and then rating is used for all of thestriking the stem alternately with one finger capsules on the plant. andthen the other finger in rapid ‘+’ and ‘−’ modifiers can succession. Thehuman ear can perceive be used. degree of rattling over a range. IND isdefined as having no rattle. Degree of rattle in this test correlateswith loss of increasing amounts of seed as capsules are exposed toweather conditions. COMMENTS: the ratings above should be made undernormal conditions (600 mm of annual rainfall and 30 kg/ha of nitrogen)through high moisture/fertility conditions. In drought or very lowfertility conditions, it has been observed that there is less seedretention. In addition, high populations may lead to low moisture orfertility causing less seed retention. If unusual environmentalconditions are present, the effects should be taken into considerationprior to rating. (22) SHAKER S55 = 70.8% See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAPSHATTER (All experimental TEST (Character No. 17) for collection ofRESISTANCE FROM nurseries, 1997-2008) capsules. The capsules should bedried 10cap TEST Value based on the and inverted. The capsules and anyseed The amount of seed average of a minimum of that has fallen outshould then be placed in retention after the three samples of the flaskson a reciprocal shaker with a 3.8 cm capsules are dry, percentage ofseed stroke with 250 strokes/min for 10 minutes inverted, and putretained in 10 capsules (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452). The seed througha shaker (10 (unit of measure: Actual that comes out of the capsulesshould be capsule sample) Number expressed as weighed as ‘out seed.’ Theretained seed percentage) should be threshed out of the capsulesDistribution within Sesaco and weighed to compute the ‘total seed’.based on 10cap test in all The shaker shatter resistance is computednurseries in 1997-2002 as a percentage as follows: (total seed − (Totalnumber of lines out seed)/total seed. tested = 1,613 with 8,285 The 10capsules can be sampled from samples) physiological maturity throughcomplete low = 0; high = 100 drydown without an effect on this character1 = <20; 12.9% for shatter resistant types. When taking 2 = <40; 6.9%capsules after drydown, only capsules with 3 = <60; 23.4% all their seedare taken. Thus, this test 4 = <80; 47.7% cannot be done on shatteringlines after 5 = >79.9; 9.2% drydown. avg. = 55.9%, std = 23.9 COMMENTS:The ratings above should be made under normal conditions through highmoisture/fertility conditions. In drought or very low fertilityconditions, it has been observed that there is less seed retention. Inadditions, high populations may lead to low moisture or fertilitycausing there is less seed retention. If unusual environmentalconditions are present, the effects should be taken into considerationprior to rating. Lines with shaker shatter resistance >64.9% are knownas non-dehiscent lines (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452). (23) CAPSULE S55 =SR The rating is based on visual SHATTERING TYPE (All crops, allnurseries) observations as to seed retention as the Amount of seedSubjective rating based on plants remain standing in the field withoutretention in a line or the following values: shocking. plant SUS =Super-shattering GS plants can be identified while the (<2 visual seedretention - plant is putting on capsules or at drydown equates to <25%)because the carpels in the capsules do not SHA = Shattering (<4 formfalse membranes. There are plants visual seed retention - that will havecapsules with false equates to <50%) membranes on the lower and uppernodes SSH = Semi-shattering (4-6 but most of the capsules show no falsevisual seed retention - membranes. equates to 50 to 75%) ID plants canbe identified during the SR = Shatter resistant (a growing season inthat they have enations numeric rating>6 visual on the bottoms of theleaves. At dry down seed retention without id they are more difficult todistinguish from or gs alleles - equates to other lines that have closedcapsules >75%; an alphabetical (other than GS). There is less of asuture rating of V, W, or I) than other capsule types. ID = IndehiscentSUS, SHA, SSH, and SR are defined by (presence of id/id with VISUAL SEEDRETENTION (Character capsule closed) No. 21). IDO = IndehiscentCOMMENTS: Most environmental (presence of id/id with factors do not havemuch of an effect on capsule open at tip) capsule shattering type otherthan to make GS = Seamless it more difficult to distinguish in theoverlap (presence of gs/gs with zone. Generally, higher moisture, highercapsule closed) fertility, and lower populations will GSO = Seamlessdecrease the shattering a small amount - (presence of gs/gs with lessthan 10%. capsule open at tip) The wind can have a large effect indecreasing the amount of seed retention. Rain, dew and fog can alsoreduce seed retention. (24) NON-DEHISCENT S55 = ND Lines are designatedas ND only after they TEST (All crops, all nurseries) have undergone aminimum of 3 shaker A line that has passed Subjective rating based onshatter resistance tests. In order to be the non-dehiscent test thefollowing values: considered an ND variety, the line must of havingshaker shatter ND = Non-dehiscent line pass the ND threshold in multiplenurseries resistance >64.9% is XX = Line that does not for multipleyears. considered an ND line pass the non-dehiscent in accordance withU.S. test Pat. No. 6,100,452. ND distribution within Sesaco based on10cap test in all nurseries in 1997-2006 (Total number of samples tested= 10,905) ND = 53.6% XX = 46.4% (25) IMPROVED NON- S55 = 6.8 This ratingis used for a plot or field that DEHISCENT VISUAL (Uvalde nursery, 2008)is being evaluated. RATING S55 = 7.0 The data is taken four or moreweeks Amount of seed in most (Lorenzo nursery, 2008) after the idealharvest time. See DAYS of the capsules in the Value based on the TODIRECT HARVEST (Character No. plants in a plot four or average on aminimum of 30). Estimate the percentage of capsules more weeks after thethree plots of a subjective that have visible seed at the top. In theideal harvest time. rating based on the beginning in order to develop aneye for percentage of capsules the rating, the evaluator should observeall with visible seed retention of the capsules and rate each of them;get 8 < 100% a counts of those with visible seeds and a 7 < 85% count oftotal capsules; and compute a 6 < 70% percentage. Once the evaluator isskilled, 5 > 55% there is no need to count the capsules. Z < 55% Thereis a very high correlation between ‘*’, ‘+’ and ‘−’ modifiers thisrating upon visual evaluation and the can be used. For amount ofrattling generated by the “drum averages, 0.5 is added for test” definedabove. ‘*’, 0.33 is added for a ‘+’ Although retention can vary fromplant and 0.33 is subtracted for to plant and even within a plant, theoverall a ‘−’, e.g., “7+” = 7.33. rating is correlatable with IND.(Total number of lines In crossing between lines, in early tested = 288with 801 generations there is a segregation of IND samples in 2006)plants and non-IND plants. In this case low = 2.97; high = 7.33 the plotis given a rating of the majority of 1 = <6.0; 2.1% plants while theplants selected can have a 2 = <6.5; 20.8% higher rating which isreflected in VISUAL 3 = <7.0; 13.2% SEED RETENTION. The ratings that are4 = <7.6; 63.9% cited in this character are for plots, but a 5 = >7.5;0% ratings of 7 or 8 are only given if over 90% avg. = 6.77, std = 0.54of the plants have the higher rating. Note: The percentage of linesbetween 7.0 and 7.6 is very high because Sesaco has established a newthreshold for a new variety of IND > 6.9 and only lines that are IND orsegregating IND are rated. (26) IMPROVED NON- S55 = ZZ Varieties weredesignated as IND after DEHISCENCE TEST (All crops, all nurseries theydemonstrated the defined An ND line that passes Subjective rating basedon characteristics with statistically significant the rattle test andhas a the following values: data. visual IND rating >6.99 IND = ImprovedNon- is considered IND. A dehiscent line method for traditional ZZ =Line that does not breeding of an IND line pass the improved non- isdescribed in dehiscent test concurrently filed U.S. Distribution withinSesaco patent application based on visual IND (Total Ser. No.12/041,257. number of lines tested = ND and IND lines 1,934 in allnurseries from should not have id or gs 2005 to 2007) alleles. IND =9.5% ZZ = 90.5% (27) DAYS TO S55 = 40 days The vegetative phase insesame is from FLOWERING (Uvalde nursery, 2008) the time of planting tothe start of Number of days from Value based on the flowering. plantinguntil 50% of the average of a minimum of This data is taken as a dateand later plants are flowering three plots of the number converted tonumber of days. Flowering is of days (unit of measure: defined asflowers that are open - not days) buds. Distribution within SesacoCOMMENTS: flowering can be based on lines in Uvalde accelerated bydrought and it can be nursery in 2000-2001 delayed by higher moistureand/or fertility. (Total number of samples Higher heat units willdecrease the days to tested = 1831) flowering. low = 33 days; high = 89Some lines are photosensitive and will days only begin flowering at acertain number of 1 = <44.2 days; 87.9% hours of daylight. 2 = <55.4days; 7.8% Start of flowering does not always 3 = <66.6 days; 2.4%equate to start of capsule formation. Many 4 = <77.8 days; 1.7% lineswill flower and not set capsules from 5 = >77.7 days; 0.2% the firstflowers. avg. = 40.9 days, std = 6.3 (28) DAYS TO S55 = 77 days Thereproductive phase of sesame is FLOWER (Uvalde nursery, 2008) from thestart to the end of flowering. TERMINATION Value based on the This datais taken as a date and later Number of days from average of a minimum ofconverted to number of days. Flowering is planting until 90% of thethree plots of the number defined as flowers that are open - not plantshave stopped of days (unit of measure: buds. At the end of the floweringperiod, flowering days) the rate that a plant puts on open flowersDistribution within Sesaco is reduced. Thus, there can be more thanbased on lines in Uvalde 10% of plants with buds and still have nurseryin 2000-2001 reached this measure since there will not (Total number ofsamples be more than 10% with open flowers on tested = 2668) any oneday. low = 61 days; high = 114 The measure is based on the number ofdays plants and not the number of flowering 1 = <71.6 days; 21.1% heads.The branches will stop flowering 2 = <82.2 days; 61.5% before the mainstem, and thus the plot will 3 = <92.8 days; 15.9% appear like there aremore plants not 4 = <103.4 days; 0.8% flowering. 5 = >103.3 days; 0.8%COMMENTS: flower termination can avg. = 77.1 days, std = 6.9 beaccelerated by lower moisture and/or fertility, and it can be delayed byhigher moisture and/or fertility. Higher heat units will decrease theDAYS TO FLOWER TERMINATION. It is known that there are lines that stopflowering sooner than expected in northern latitudes, but it is notknown if this is due to shorter photoperiod or cool temperatures. (29)DAYS TO S55 = 99 days The ripening phase of sesame is from PHYSIOLOGICAL(Uvalde nursery, 2008) the end of flowering until physiological MATURITYValue based on the maturity. Number of days from average of a minimum ofThis data is taken as a date and later planting until 50% of the threeplots of the number converted to number of days. Physiological plantsreach of days (unit of measure: maturity (PM) is defined as the point atphysiological maturity days) which 3/4 of the capsules have seed withDistribution within Sesaco final color. In most lines, the seed willalso based on lines in Uvalde have a seed line and tip that are dark.nursery in 2000-2001 COMMENTS: The concept of (Total number of samplesphysiological maturity in sesame was tested = 2374) developed by M. L.Kinman (personal low = 77 days; high = 140 communication) based on theconcept of days determining the optimum time to cut a 1 = <89.6 days;16.8% plant and still harvest 95-99% of the 2 = 102.2 days; 58.0%potential yield. When the seed has final 3 = <114.8 days; 23.6% color,the seed can germinate under the 4 = <127.4 days; 1.4% properconditions. If the plant is cut at 5 = >127.3 days; 0.2% physiologicalmaturity, most of the seed avg. = 97.1 days, std = 7.1 above the ¾ markwill go to final color and are mature enough to germinate, but will nothave as much seed weight. Since in even a fully mature plant, there isless seed weight made at the top of the plant, this loss of seed weightdoes not seriously affect the potential seed weight of the plant.Although present harvest methods let the plants mature and go tocomplete drydown, PM is important because after that point, the crop isless susceptible to yield loss due to frost or disease. The PM is alsoimportant if the crop is to be swathed or harvest aids are to beapplied. Physiological maturity can be accelerated by lower moistureand/or fertility, and it can be delayed by higher moisture and/orfertility. Higher heat units will decrease the days to physiologicalmaturity. Cool weather can delay physiological maturity. (30) DAYS TODIRECT S55 = 149 days The drying phase of sesame is from HARVEST (Uvaldenursery, 2008) physiological maturity until direct harvest. Number ofdays from Value based on the This data is taken as a date and laterplanting until there is average of a minimum of converted to number ofdays. Direct enough drydown for three plots of the number harvest isdefined as the date at which the direct harvest of days (unit ofmeasure: plants are dry enough for combining seed days) at 6% or lessmoisture. Over 99% of the Distribution within Sesaco sesame in the worldis harvested by hand based on lines in all before the plant completelydries down. nurseries from 2004 The plants should be dry below wheretthrough 2006 the cutter bar of the combine will hit the (Total numberof samples plants. In many lines, 15-20 cm from the tested = 1,998)ground can be green without an effect on low = 103 days; high = 161 themoisture of the seed. In taking the days data on a plot, the plants atthe aisle have 1 = <114.6 days; 3.3% more moisture and fertilityavailable and 2 = <126.2 days; 13.3% will drydown later. The same istrue for 3 = <137.8 days; 32.1% plants within the plot that have a gapof 4 = <149.4 days; 44.2% half a meter between plants. These plants 5= >149.3 days; 7.2% should be disregarded in taking the data. avg. =136.7 days, std = In addition, there are few farmer fields that 10.3 drydown uniformly because of varying soils and moisture. There is a certainamount of green that can be combined and still attain the propermoisture. The amount of green allowable is also dependent on thehumidity at the day of combining- the lower the humidity the higher theamount of allowable green. COMMENTS: This date is the most variablenumber of days that define the phenology of sesame because weather is soimportant. In dry years with little rainfall, the plants will run out ofmoisture sooner and will dry down faster than in years with morerainfall. Fields that are irrigated by pivots will generally dry downfaster than fields with flood or furrow irrigation because pivots do notprovide deep moisture. Fields with less fertility will drydown fasterthan fields with high fertility. Fields with high populations will drydown faster than fields with low populations. In low moisture situationslines with a strong taproot will dry down later than lines with mostlyshallow fibrous roots. (31) LODGING S55 = 7.4 The data is taken afterphysiological RESISTANCE (Uvalde nursery 2007), maturity (see DAYS TOPHYSIOLOGICAL The amount of lodging S55 = 8.0 MATURITY - Character No.29) and (Lorenzo nursery, 207) before direct harvest (see DAYS TOAverage of a minimum of DIRECT HARVEST - Character No. 30). three plotsof a subjective Lodging that occurs after direct harvest in rating basedon the nurseries would not be a factor in following values: commercialsesame. 0 to 8 rating There are three types of lodging: where 8 = nolodging the plants break at the stem, where the 7 = Less than 5% ofplants plants bend over but do not break, and lodged where the plantsuproot and bend over. 4 = 50% of plants lodged When a plant breaks over,it will rarely 1 = All plants lodged produce any new seed, and theexisting Intermediate values are seed may or may not mature. If there isa used. total break, there is no hope, but if there is Distributionwithin Sesaco still some active stem translocation based on lines inUvalde through the break, there can be some yield and Lorenzo nurseriesin recovery. The main causes for uprooting 2007 of plants are shallowroot systems and (Total number of samples fields that have just beenirrigated, creating tested = 1061) a soft layer of soil. When a plantbends low = 1.0; high = 8.0 over early in development, some lines 1 =<2.4; 3.1% adapt better than others in terms of having 2 = <3.8; 6.9%the main stems turn up and continue 3 = <5.2; 22.6% flowering. The tipsof the branches are 4 = <6.6; 18.9% usually matted under the canopy andwill 5 = >8.0; 48.4% rarely turn up, but new branches can avg. = 6.1,std = 1.7 develop. As the plants go to drydown and the weight of themoisture is lost, many of the bent plants will straighten up making thecrop easier to combine. COMMENTS: The major cause of lodging is thewind. In areas where there are constant winds such as in Oklahoma andnorthern Texas, the plants adjust by adding more lignins to the stemsand it takes a stronger wind to cause lodging than in areas such asUvalde where there normally only breezes unless there is a strong frontor thunderstorm that passes through. In areas with more root rots, thestems are weak and it takes little wind to lodge the plants. (32) SEEDCOLOR S55 = BLK This data is taken in the laboratory with The color ofthe seed (All crops, all nurseries) the same lighting for all samples.The seed coat Subjective rating based on from the whole plant is used.the following values: Seed coat color is taken on mature WH = Whiteseeds. If there is any abnormal BF = Buff termination, the colors arenot quite as TN = Tan even. The color of immature seed varies. LBR =Light brown Usually light seeded lines have tan to light GO = Gold brownimmature seed; tan, light brown, LGR = Light gray gold, brown lightgray, and gray lines have GR = Gray lighter immature seed; black linescan BR = Brown have tan, brown, or gray immature seed. RBR = Reddishbrown Usually, moisture, fertility, population BL = Black and lightintensity do not have an effect on Distribution within Sesaco seed coatcolor. Light colored seeds in a based on seed harvested drought may havea yellowish tinge. Seeds in all nurseries in 1982-2001 in some lines inthe tan, light brown and (Total number of gold range can change fromyear to year samples tested = 161,809) among themselves. WH = 0.8% BF =74.8% TN = 9.0% LBR = 1.4% GO = 1.5% LGR = 0.6% GR = 1.4% BR = 6.5% RBR= 0.6% BL = 3.5% (33) SEED WEIGHT - S55 = 0.328 g See CAPSULE LENGTHFROM 10CAP 100 SEEDS FROM (All experimental TEST (Character No. 17) forcollection of 10cap TEST nurseries, 1997-2008) capsules. Weight of 100seeds Value based on the Count out 100 seeds and weigh. The taken fromthe 10cap average of a minimum of seed must be dry. tests which aretaken three samples of the COMMENTS: the weight increases from themiddle of the weight of 100 seeds from with higher moisture/fertility.Generally, plant. the 10 capsules (unit of the weight of the seed fromthe whole plant weight: grams) is lighter than the seed weight takenfrom Distribution within Sesaco the 10cap test. based on stable lines inall nurseries in 1997-2002 (Total number of lines tested = 820 with2,899 samples) low = 0.200 g; high = 0.455 g 1 = <0..251 g; 10.1% 2 =<0.302 g; 48.4% 3 = <0.353 g; 34.0% 4 = <0.404 g; 7.2% 5 = >0.403 g;0.2% avg. = 0.298 g, std = 0.04 (34) COMPOSITE KILL S55 = 6.8 On theweek a plot reaches PM, a RESISTANCE (Uvalde nursery, 2008) rating isassigned. The ratings are then The amount of plants Average of a minimumof taken for 2 additional weeks. The three killed by root rots in thethree plots of a subjective ratings are averaged for a final killrating. Sesaco nurseries rating based on the For example, if a plot hasa final kill of 766, following values: Ratings the average for the plotwill be 6.33. When are based on the number a value of 1 or 2 isassigned, there are no of plants killed in a plot. additional ratingsand there is no Before physiological averaging. maturity (PM), the Thereare three root diseases that affect following ratings are used: sesamein Texas: Fusarium oxysporum, 1 = >90% kill before DAYS Macrophominaphaseoli, and Phytophtora TO FLOWERING parasitica. Between 1988 and thepresent, TERMINATION (Character spores of these three have been No. 28)accumulated in one small area (1 square 2 = >90% kill between km) northof Uvalde, and thus it is an DAYS TO FLOWERING excellent screening areafor the diseases. TERMINATION (Character Although each root rot attackssesame in a No. 28) and DAYS TO different way with different symptoms,no PHYSIOLOGICAL effort is made to differentiate which MATURITY(Character No. disease is the culprit in each plot. 29) Pathologicalscreenings in the past have After PM, the following found all 3pathogens present in dead ratings are used: plants. 3 = >90% killCOMMENTS: normally, the ratings will 4 = 50 to 89% kill decrease amaximum of one value per 5 = 25 to 49% kill week. There is an overlapbetween any 6 = 10 to 24% kill two ratings, but this is overcome to a 7= less than 10% kill certain extent by using three ratings over 2 8 = nokill weeks. Distribution within Sesaco The amount of kill is usuallyincreased based on lines in Uvalde with any type of stress to theplants. nursery in 2000-2001 Drought can increase the amount of (Totalnumber of samples Macrophomina; too much water can tested = 3045)increase the amount of Phytophtora; high low = 1.00; high = 8.00temperatures and humidity can increase 1 = <1.6; 1.7% the amount ofFusarium and Phytophtora. 2 = <3.2; 16.7% High population can increaseall three 3 = <4.8; 38.7% diseases. 4 = <6.4; 31.2% The ratings for anyone year can be 5 = >6.3; 11.6% used to compare lines grown in thatyear, avg. = 4.52, std = 1.49 but should not be used to compare linesgrown in different years. The amount of disease in any one year ishighly dependent on moisture, humidity, and temperatures. (35)RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT Ratings can be done in several ways: FUSARIUMWILT (F. oxysporum) Average of a minimum of 1. Take ratings after thedisease is no Amount of resistance to three plots of a subjective longerincreasing Fusarium wilt rating based on the 2. Take ratings onconsecutive weeks following values: until disease is no longerincreasing and 0 to 8 scale of the average ratings. % of infected plants3. Take periodic ratings and average 8 = Zero disease ratings. 7 = <10%infected COMMENTS: Fusarium has been a 4 = 50% infected problem in SouthTexas, particularly on 1 = >90% infected fields that have been plantedwith sesame 0 = all infected before. Normally, only the COMPOSITEIntermediate values are KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34) used. ratingis taken. NT = not tested NEC = no economic damage - not enough diseaseto do ratings (36) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT See Methodology for RESISTANCETO PHYTOPHTORA STEM Subjective rating FUSARIUM WILT (Character No. 35)ROT (P. parasitica) See Values for Fusarium COMMENTS: Phytophtora hasbeen a Amount of resistance to problem in Arizona and Texas,particularly Phytophtora stem rot on fields that have beenover-irrigated. Normally, only the COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (CharacterNo. 34) rating is taken. (37) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT See Methodology forRESISTANCE TO CHARCOAL ROT Subjective rating FUSARIUM WILT (CharacterNo. 35) (Macrophomina See Values for Fusarium COMMENTS: Macrophomina hasbeen phaseoli) a problem in Arizona and Texas, Amount of resistance toparticularly on fields that go into a drought. Charcoal rot Normally,only the COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34) rating is taken.(38) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT See Methodology for RESISTANCE TO BACTERIALBLACK (Uvalde nursery, 2004) FUSARIUM WILT (Character No. 35) ROT(Pseudomonas Average of a minimum of COMMENTS: this disease occurssesami) three plots of a subjective occasionally when there is continualrainy Amount of resistance to rating based on the weather with fewclouds. In most years, bacterial black rot following values: the diseaseabates once the weather 0 to 8 scale of the changes. No economic damagehas been % of infected plants noticed. 8 = Zero disease 7 = <10%infected 4 = 50% infected 1 = >90% infected 0 = all infectedIntermediate values are used. NT = not tested NEC = no economic damage -not enough disease to do ratings Distribution within Sesaco based onlines in Uvalde nursery in 2004 (Total number of samples tested = 593)low = 4.00; high = 8.00 1 = <2.4; 0.0% 2 = <3.8; 0.0% 3 = <5.2; 8.6% 4 =<6.6; 16.0% 5 = >6.5; 75.4% avg. = 7.13, std = 1.00 (39) RESISTANCE TOS55 = NEC Ratings can be done in several ways: SILVERLEAF (Uvaldenursery, 2006) 1. Take ratings after the insects are no WHITEFLY(Bemisia Average of a minimum of longer increasing. argentifolii) threeplots of a subjective 2. Take ratings on consecutive weeks Amount ofresistance to rating based on the until insects are no longer increasingand the silverleaf whitefly following values: average ratings. 0 to 8scale of the 3. Take periodic ratings and average % of infected plantsratings. 0 to 8 scale COMMENTS: there have been very 8 = Zero insectsfew years (1991-1995) where the 7 = Few insects incidence of silverleafwhitefly has affected 4 = Many insects nurseries or commercial crops. Inmost 1 = Insects killing the years, a few white flies can be seen in theplants sesame with no economic damage. Intermediate values are In themiddle 1990s, the USDA began used. introducing natural predators of theNT = not tested silverleaf whitefly in the Uvalde area. It is NEC = noeconomic not known if the predators reduced the damage - not enougheffects of the whitefly or there is a natural insects to do ratingstolerance to whitefly in the current varieties. Higher temperaturesdecrease the number of days between generations. There are indicationsthat higher moisture and fertility increase the incidence of whiteflies, but there is no definitive data. The sweet potato whitefly(Bemisia tabaci) has been observed in nurseries since 1978 without anyeconomic damage. (40) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT See Methodology forRESISTANCE TO GREEN PEACH Subjective rating; see SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY(Character No. APHIDS (Myzus Values for Whitefly 39) persicae)Distribution within Sesaco COMMENTS: there have been very Amount ofresistance to based on lines in Uvalde few years (1990-1995) where thethe green peach aphid nursery in 2004 incidence of green peach aphid has(Total number of samples affected nurseries or commercial crops. Intested = 412) most years, a few aphids can be seen in low = 1.00; high =8.00 the sesame with no economic damage. 1 = <2.4; 1.0% There have beenmany years in West 2 = <3.8; 0.5% Texas when the cotton aphid has 3 =<5.2; 10.7% decimated the cotton and did not build up 4 = <6.6; 4.8% onadjacent sesame fields. 5 = >6.5; 83.0% Higher moisture and fertilityincrease avg. = 7.04, std = 1.35 the susceptibility to aphids. (41)RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT See Methodology for RESISTANCE TO POD BORERSSubjective rating; see SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY (Character No. (Heliothisspp.) Values for Whitefly 39) Amount of resistance to COMMENTS: therehave been very pod borers few years (1985) where the incidence ofHeliothis has affected nurseries or commercial crops. In most years, afew borers can be seen in the sesame with no economic damage. (42)RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT See Methodology for RESISTANCE TO ARMY WORMSSubjective rating; see SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY (Character No. (Spodopteraspp.) Values for Whitefly 39) Amount of resistance to COMMENTS: therehave been very army worms few years (1984-1987) where the incidence ofSpodoptera has affected commercial crops in Arizona. In Texas, armyworms have decimated cotton and alfalfa fields next to sesame withoutany damage to the sesame. It is not known if the Arizona army worm isdifferent from the Texas army worm. (43) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NEC SeeMethodology for RESISTANCE TO CABBAGE LOOPERS (Lorenzo nursery 2007)SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY (Character No. (Pieris rapae) Subjective rating; see39) Amount of resistance to values for Whitefly COMMENTS: there havebeen very cabbage loopers few years (1992-1993) where the incidence ofcabbage loopers has affected nurseries. In commercial sesame, cabbageloopers have been observed with no economic damage. ^(a)Uvalde nurseryplanted north of Uvalde, Texas (latitude 29°22′ north, longitude 99°47′west, 226 m elev) in middle to late May to early June from 1988 to thepresent; mean rainfall is 608 mm annually with a mean of 253 mm duringthe growing season; temperatures range from an average low of 3° C. andan average high of 17° C. in January to an average low of 22° C. and anaverage high of 37° C. in July. The nursery was planted on 96 cm bedsfrom1988 to 1997 and on 76 cm beds from 1998 to the present. The nurserywas pre-irrigated and has had 2-3 post-plant irrigations depending onrainfall. The fertility has varied from 30-60 units of nitrogen.^(b)Lorenzo nursery planted southeast of Lubbock, Texas (latitude 33°40′north, longitude 101°49′ west, 1000 m elev) in mid June from 2004 to thepresent; mean rainfall is 483 mm annually with a mean of 320 mm duringthe growing season; temperatures range from an average low of −4° C. andan average high of 11° C. in January to an average low of 20° C. and anaverage high of 33° C. in July. The nursery was planted on 101 cm beds.The nursery wasrainfed. The fertility was 30 units of nitrogen.

In developing sesame varieties for the United States, there are sevencharacters that are desirable for successful crops: SHAKER SHATTERRESISTANCE (Character No. 23), NON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character No. 24),COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 35), DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICALMATURITY (Character No. 30), YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character 11), SEED COLOR(Character No. 33), and SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST (CharacterNo. 34). The first four characters contribute to YIELD AT DRYDOWN whichis the most important economic factor normally considered by a farmer inthe selection of a variety. The last two characters determine the marketvalue of the seed.

SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE and NON-DEHISCENT TEST determine how well theplants will retain the seed while they are drying down in adverseweather.

COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE determines whether the plants can finish theircycle and have the optimum seed fill.

DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY determines how far north and to whichelevation the varieties can be grown.

In improving the characters, the YIELD AT DRYDOWN has to be comparableto or better than current varieties, or provide a beneficial improvementfor a particular geographical or market niche.

In the United States and Europe, the SEED COLOR is important since over95% of the market requires white or buff seed. There are limited marketsfor gold and black seed in the Far East. All other colors can only beused in the oil market.

SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST determines the market for theseed. Lack of COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE can reduce SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDSFROM 10CAP TEST. In parts of the United States where there is littlerain in dry years, the lack of moisture can reduce the SEED WEIGHT—100SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST.

There are other characters important in developing commercial sesamevarieties explained in Langham, D. R. and T. Wiemers, 2002. “Progress inmechanizing sesame in the US through breeding”, In: J. Janick and A.Whipkey (ed.), Trends in new crops and new uses, ASHS Press, Alexandria,Va. BRANCHING STYLE (Character No. 1), HEIGHT OF PLANT (Character No. 5)and HEIGHT OF FIRST CAPSULE (Character No. 6) are important incombining. CAPSULE ZONE LENGTH (Character No. 7), NUMBER OF CAPSULENODES (Character No. 8), AVERAGE INTERNODE LENGTH WITHIN CAPSULE ZONE(Character No. 9), and SEED WEIGHT PER CAPSULE (Character No. 18) areimportant in creating potential YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character No. 10).LEAF DIMENSIONS (Characters No. 12, 13, 14, and 15) are important indetermining optimum populations.

NUMBER OF CAPSULES PER LEAF AXIL (Character No. 2), NUMBER OF CARPELSPER CAPSULE (Character No. 16), CAPSULE LENGTH (Character No. 17),CAPSULE WEIGHT PER CAPSULE (Character No. 19), and CAPSULE WEIGHT PER CMOF CAPSULE (Character No. 20) are important in breeding for VISUAL SEEDRETENTION (Character No. 21) and IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING(Character No. 25) which lead to testing for SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE(Character No. 22) and determining the CAPSULE SHATTERING TYPE(Character No. 23), NON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character 24) and IMPROVEDNON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character No. 26).

DAYS TO FLOWERING (Character No. 27), DAYS TO FLOWER TERMINATION(Character No. 28), DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY (Character No. 29),and MATURITY CLASS (Character No. 3) are highly correlated and importantin determining the phenology and geographical range for the variety.

DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (Character No. 30) is important in that once theplants reach physiological maturity there is no weather event that willincrease yield and many weather events that may substantially lower theyield. A shorter drying phase increases yield. PLANT PHENOTYPE(Character No. 4) is a summary character of characters 1, 2, and 3 thatallows an overall visualization of the line.

RESISTANCE TO DROUGHT (Character No. 11) becomes important in reducingyield and seed weight. Even though there was a drought in the growingareas in 2006, there has not been a drought in nurseries planted since2000 because of irrigation. LODGING RESISTANCE (Character No. 31) isimportant in years when there are high winds in the growing areas. Theresistance characters (Characters No. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42,and 43) are important in reducing the losses from diseases and pests.

Over the past 30 years, Sesaco has tested 2,966 introductions from allover the world. Commercial samples have been obtained from China, India,Sudan, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mozambique, Pakistan, Myanmar,Bangladesh, Vietnam, Egypt, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Venezuela,Thailand, Turkey, Upper Volta, Uganda, Mali, Kenya, Indonesia, SriLanka, Afghanistan, Philippines, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Somalia,Eritrea, Paraguay, Bolivia, and El Salvador. Additional research seedhas been received from the commercial countries and from many othercountries such as Australia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Russia, Jordan, Yemen,Syria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Angola, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Cambodia,Laos, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Gabon, Greece, Italy, South Korea, Libya, Nepal,Zaire, England and Tanzania. Research seed received from one country mayhave originated from another unspecified country. All of the commercialand research introductions have CAPSULE SHATTERING TYPE (Character No.23) of shattering, “SHA”.

Using selected characters from Table II, Table III provides a characterdifferentiation between S55 and named cultivars from all over the world.

TABLE III Character Differentiation of Various Sesame Varieties^(a)Character Rating Name cultivars tested by Sesaco CAPSULE SHATTERING SHAEliminate the following from the world: TYPE From Venezuela: Venezuela51, Venezuela (Character No. 23) 52, Guacara, Aceitera, Inamar,Acarigua, Morada, Capsula Larga, Arawaca, Piritu, Glauca, Turen, DV9,Fonucla, UCLA From Mexico: Pachequeno, Yori, Anna, Teras, Denisse,Canasta, Tehvantepeter From India: TMV1, TMV3 From Turkey: Ozberk,Muganli, Gamdibi, Marmara From Israel: DT45 From Guatemala: R198, R30From Paraguay: Escoba and INIA. From Texas: Llano, Margo, Dulce, Blanco,Paloma, Oro, Renner 1 and 2, Early Russian From California: UCR3, UCR4,Eva, Calinda (Cal Beauty) From Thailand: KU18 From Korea: Danback,Gwansan, Pungyiong, Suweon, Yuseong, Hanseon, Ahnsan, Kwangsan, Jinback,Pungsan, Sodan, Yangheuk, Konheuk, Whaheuck, Sungboon SSH Eliminate fromSesaco: S02, S03, S04, S05, S06, S07, S08, S09, S10, S12, S14 IDEliminate the following from the world: From Venezuela: G2, Morada idFrom Texas: Rio, Delco, Baco, Improved Baco, Roy, Eli From SouthCarolina: Palmetto From California: UCR234 From Sesaco: S01 SR Allothers, go to NON-DEHISCENT TEST NON-DEHISCENT TEST XX Eliminate fromSesaco: S11, S15, S16, S17, (Character No. 24) S18, S19, S20, S21 ND Allothers to the SEED COLOR SEED COLOR (Character No. BF Eliminate fromSesaco: 11W, 19A, S22, S23, 31) S24, S25, S26, S27, S28, S29, S30, S32(all of these lines and varieties have been disclosed in previouspatents, and there are no lines or varieties that are not included.) BLKS55 ^(a)SHA = shattering; SSH = semi-shattering; ID = indehiscent; SR =shatter resistant; XX = not non-dehiscent according to the teachings ofU.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452; ND = non-dehiscent according to the teachingsof U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452; BF = buff seed color; BLK = black seedcolor.

Table IV shows all the characters from Table II for S55 and Sesacocommercial varieties S26, S28, S30, and S32. The table is in terms ofall of the characters listed in Table II. The major differences in TableIV are indicated in the “Dif” column by a “C” for commercially importantdifferences and an “M” for morphological differences.

TABLE IV Character Comparison of S26, S28, S30, S32, and S55^(a) No.Character Year/nursery S26 S28 S30 S32 S55 Dif 1 Branching Style All B BU B B 2 Number of Capsules per Leaf All 1 1 1 1 1 Axil 3 Maturity ClassAdjusted PM 99 99 98 98 98 2005-2008 UV M M M M M 4 Plant Phenotype AllB1M B1M U1M B1M B1M 5 Height of Plant (cm) 2008 UV 135 126 131 145 123 6Height of First Capsule (cm) 2008 UV 53 53 43 53 53 7 Capsule ZoneLength (cm) 2008 UV 81 72 88 91 70 8 Number of Capsule Node 2008 UV 2222 24 25 24 pairs 9 Average Internode Length 2008 UV 3.8 3.4 3.6 3.6 3.0M within Capsule Zone (cm) 10 Yield at Drydown (kg/ha) 2008 UV 1,4291,381 1,474 1,556 1,253 C 2008 LO 429 511 676 593 514 C 11 Resistance toDrought 2000 SA Good Good NT NT NT 12 Leaf Length (cm) 5^(th)-2008 UV28.1 23.0 16.3 25.5 20.7 10^(th)-2008 UV 22.3 18.0 18.5 18.3 19.715^(th)-2008 UV 15.9 13.7 15.0 14.1 14.5 13 Leaf Blade Length (cm)5^(th)-2008 UV 16.6 13.8 10.7 14.8 13.6 10^(th)-2008 UV 16.8 14.4 14.314.7 15.4 15^(th)-2008 UV 13.3 11.5 12.5 12.2 11.9 14 Leaf Blade Width(cm) 5^(th)-2008 UV 23.0 18.0 10.5 13.8 10.0 10^(th)-2008 UV 5.4 3.6 3.03.0 4.1 15^(th)-2008 UV 2.6 2.0 2.0 1.6 2.7 15 Petiole Length (cm)5^(th)-2008 UV 11.5 9.2 5.6 10.7 7.1 10^(th)-2008 UV 5.5 3.6 4.2 3.6 4.315^(th)-2008 UV 2.6 2.3 2.4 2.0 2.6 16 Number of Carpels per All 2 2 2 22 Capsule 17 Capsule Length (cm) 1997-2008 All 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.13 2.40M 18 Seed Weight per Capsule (g) 1997-2008 All 0.233 0.227 0.260 0.2280.211 19 Capsule Weight per Capsule 1997-2008 All 0.162 0.162 0.1670.147 0.149 (g) 20 Capsule Weight per cm of 1997-2008 All 0.072 0.0720.073 0.069 0.62 M Capsule (g) 21 Visual Shatter Resistance All W W I IW C 22 Shaker Shatter Resistance 1997-2008 All 73.0 75.0 77.8 75.8 70.8(%) 23 Capsule Shattering Type All SR SR SR SR SR 24 Non-dehiscent TestAll ND ND ND ND ND 25 Improved Non-dehiscent 2008 UV 6.5 6.2 7.2 7.0 6.8C visual rating 2008 LO 6.3 6.3 7.4 7.2 7.0 C 26 Improved Non-dehiscentTest All ZZ ZZ IND IND ZZ C 27 Days to Flowering 2008 UV 50 48 36 38 V4028 Days to Flower Termination 2008 UV 83 82 75 77 77 29 Days toPhysiological 2008 UV 110 109 101 106 99 C Maturity 30 Days to DirectHarvest 2008 UV 146 146 139 141 149 31 Lodging Resistance 2007 UV 6.67.0 7.3 6.2 7.4 C 2007 LO 5.0 5.3 7.9 7.1 8.0 C 32 Seed Color All BF BFBF BF BLK C 33 Seed Weight - 100 Seeds 1997-2008 All 0.330 0.329 0.3170.311 0.328 C from 10 cap test (g) 34 Composite Kill Resistance 2008 UV7.3 7.3 6.9 6.5 6.8 C 35 Resistance to Fusarium Wilt NT NT NT NT NT (F.oxysporum) 36 Resistance to Phytophtora NT NT NT NT NT Stem Rot (P.parasitica) 37 Resistance to Charcoal Rot NT NT NT NT NT (Macrophominaphaseoli) 38 Resistance to Bacterial Black 2004 UV 7.0 7.0 8.0 8.0 NTRot (Pseudomonas sesami) 39 Resistance to Silverleaf 2007 UV NEC NEC NECNEC NEC Whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii) 40 Resistance to Green Peach2004 UV 8.0 7.9 8.0 5.5 NT Aphid (Myzus persica) 41 Resistance to PodBorer 2001 UV NEC NT NT NT NT (Heliothis spp.) 42 Resistance to ArmyWorms NT NT NT NT NT (Spodoptera spp.) 43 Resistance to Cabbage 2007 LONEC NEC NEC NEC NEC Loopers (Pieris rapae) ^(a)B = true branches; U =uniculm (no true branches); UV = Uvalde nursery; M = medium maturityclass of 95-104 days; B1M = phenotype of true branches, single capsulesper leaf axil, and medium maturity class of 95-104 days; U1M = phenotypeof uniculm, single capsules per leaf axil, and medium maturity class of95-104 days; LO = Lorenzo nursery; NT = not tested; W = weather visualseed retention >75%; SR = shatter resistant;ND = non-dehiscent; ZZ = notimproved non-dehiscent; IND = improved non-dehiscent; BF = buff color;and NEC = no economic damage - not enough disease or insects to doratings.

As stated earlier, in developing sesame varieties for the United States,there are seven important characters: SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE(Character No. 22), NON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character No. 24), COMPOSITEKILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34), DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY(Character No. 29), YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character No. 10), SEED COLOR(Character No. 32), and SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST (CharacterNo. 33). These characters will be discussed first comparing S55 to theSesaco varieties (S25, S26, S28, S29, S30, and S32), followed by othercharacters that differentiate S55. The data is based on planting thevarieties side by side with four replications in Uvalde and two inLorenzo.

The most significant visible difference between the seed of S55 and theother Sesaco ND varieties is SEED COLOR (Character No. 32). In Asia andincreasingly in the United States, a demand for black sesame seeds ispresent. S55 is the first black seeded sesame that has non-dehiscenceallowing it to be fully mechanized at harvest. The plants retain enoughseed after drying down in the field to be combined directly to becommercially feasible.

FIG. 2 provides the SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE (Character No. 22) of thepatented varieties using data from 1997 through 2008. SHAKER SHATTERRESISTANCE represents the amount of seed that is retained by the plantseveral months after being dry in the field. This standard was developedas a minimum standard in 1997-1998 and has proven to be a good predictorof shatter resistance. All have SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE in the low tomid seventy percent level. S55 has 70.8% which is above the 65%threshold established in U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452 to qualify S55 as anon-dehiscent variety as defined in the NON-DEHISCENT TEST (CharacterNo. 24).

FIG. 3 provides the IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING (Character No.25) of selected Sesaco varieties using data from the 2008 Uvalde andLorenzo nurseries. When the plants have reached DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST(Character No. 30), the plants are holding more than the seedrepresented by the SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE percentage. If there is norain, fog, dew, or wind during the drying phase, the non-dehiscentplants will be retaining almost all of their seed for the combine.However, the predominant weather in the harvest season in the U.S.includes rain, fog, dew, and wind. The IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUALRATING sets a new benchmark for selecting varieties based on a ratingdone 4 weeks after DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (the ideal harvest time). S55does not have a rating above the 7.0 threshold in both Uvalde andLorenzo established in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/041,205,filed 3 Mar., 2008, and thus, S55 does not qualify as an improvednon-dehiscent variety. However, it is an improvement over S25, S26, S28,and S29.

FIG. 4 provides the COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34) ofselected Sesaco varieties in the 2008 Uvalde nursery. COMPOSITE KILLRESISTANCE is a composite rating of resistance to three root rots:Fusarium, Phytophtora, and Macrophomina. In most years, Fusarium is themajor cause of kill. When sesame is first introduced into a growingarea, there are few disease problems, but over time the spores of thesefungi accumulate and disease resistance becomes important. When sesamewas first introduced in Uvalde in 1988, the yields were high. As farmersplanted on the same fields in subsequent years, the yields decreased.With a rating of 6.8, S55 is in the middle of the other patentedvarieties, and the ratings for S55 are acceptable for a commercialvariety. Any rating above 5.67 indicates that over 90% of the plantsproduced good seed to the top of the plant.

FIG. 5 provides the mean DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY (Character No.29) of selected Sesaco varieties in the 2008 Uvalde nursery. In theUnited States, sesame is currently grown from South Texas to southernKansas. The growing window of a crop is determined by the earliest thecrop can be planted in the spring as the ground warms up, and the onsetof cold weather in the fall. Current sesame varieties require about 21°C. ground temperature to establish an adequate population. In mostyears, the ground is warm enough in South Texas in middle April and insouthern Kansas in late May. Current sesame varieties require nighttemperatures above 5° C. for normal termination. In most years, thenight temperatures are warm enough in South Texas until middle Novemberand in southern Kansas until middle October. There have been years whencold fronts affect the growth of sesame in the middle of September inthe north. East of Lubbock, Tex., the elevations begin climbing towardsthe Rocky Mountains, and there are later warm temperatures in the springand earlier cold temperatures in the fall. In all years, if the sesameis planted as early as temperatures allow, lines with DAYS TOPHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY of 105 days or less will have no problems even inyears with an early frost. However, most areas are rainfed, and it isessential to have a planting rain before planting the sesame. Thus, theearlier the DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY of the variety, the moreflexibility the farmers have with planting date. In South Texas, thegoal is to have varieties with a DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY of lessthan 110 days while in southern Kansas the goal is less than 90 days.The mean DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY for S55 is 99 which allows it tobe planted in all of the current sesame growing areas.

FIG. 6 provides the mean YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character 10) of the selectedSesaco varieties in Uvalde and Lorenzo nurseries in 2008. In releasing anew variety, another important consideration is whether the yields willbe comparable or better than the existing varieties. The yields of S55are lower under the conditions tested than the comparison varieties, butstill show an acceptable yield. The desirability of growing S55 is theblack seed color with a commercially acceptable economic yield. Theyield data is taken close to DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (Character No. 30)which is the ideal time to harvest. However, weather in the fall in thesesame growing areas of the U.S. can prevent harvest for up to a monthsubjecting the crop to rain, fog, dew, and wind. Those four factorsincrease the shattering, and the wind may bring on lodging. Subjectiveobservations are that S55 loses less seed a month after the idealharvest time because of the LODGING RESISTANCE (Character No. 31). FIG.7 shows the LODGING RESISTANCE in the 2007 Uvalde and Lorenzo nurseries.S55 has very good LODGING RESISTANCE.

FIG. 8 provides the mean SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM THE 10CAP TEST(Character No. 33) of all direct harvest varieties between 1997 and2008. For the past 30 years, the lower threshold for seed size in theU.S. markets has been 0.30 g. All of the compared Sesaco varietiessurpass this threshold. The demand for larger seeds may not be asimportant with respect to black sesame as compared with light sesameseeds.

There are three morphological characters where S55 differs from theSesaco varieties compared in Table IV: AVERAGE INTERNODE LENGTH WITHINCAPSULE ZONE (Character No. 9), CAPSULE LENGTH (Character No. 17), andCAPSULE WEIGHT PER CM OF CAPSULE (Character No. 20). The INTERNODELENGTH is shorter, the CAPSULE LENGTH IS longer, and the WEIGHT PER CMOF CAPSULE is lower. These characters are not important commercially,but they do help distinguish S55 from the other Sesaco varieties.

On Jul. 9, 2009, a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of sesame plant S55was made by Sesaco Corporation under the provisions of the BudapestTreaty with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, and the deposit wasgiven ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185. This deposit will be maintained inthe ATCC depository for a period of 30 years or 5 years after the lastrequest or for the enforceable life of the patent, whichever is longer.Should the seeds from the sesame line S55 deposited with the AmericanType Culture Collection become non-viable, the deposit will be replacedby Sesaco Corporation upon request.

The foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way ofillustration and characters for purposes of clarity and understanding.However, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications maybe practiced within the scope of the invention as limited only by thescope of the appended claims.

1. A seed of sesame variety designated S55, a sample of said seed havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.
 2. A sesame plantproduced by growing the seed of sesame variety S55, a sample of saidseed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.
 3. Pollenof said sesame plant of claim
 2. 4. A sesame plant having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of sesame variety S55, asample of the seed of said variety having been deposited under ATCCAccession No. PTA-10185.
 5. A tissue culture of regenerable cellsproduced from seed of sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.
 6. A tissue cultureof regenerable cells produced from sesame plant S55 produced by growingthe seed of sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.
 7. A sesame plantregenerated from a tissue culture of regenerable cells produced fromseed of sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed having been depositedunder ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185, wherein said regenerated sesameplant has all the physiological and morphological characteristics ofsaid sesame variety S55.
 8. A sesame plant regenerated from a tissueculture of regenerable cells produced from a sesame plant produced bygrowing the seed of sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185, wherein saidregenerated sesame plant has all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of said sesame variety S55.
 9. A method of producingsesame seed, comprising crossing a first parent sesame plant with asecond parent sesame plant and harvesting the resultant sesame seed,wherein said first or second parent sesame plant was produced by growingseed of sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed having been depositedunder ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.